Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to move around whenever they want, without you having to let him in or out. They also help prevent your cat from toileting inside the house.
Fitting a cat flap in a door panel made of Upvc is much easier than in a glass door, however it requires some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Measure the Door
Fitting a cat door in the front door is difficult however, as long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the directions you can make it less difficult. We will be showing you how to mark out the shape, use the jigsaw to slice the door's opening and then finish the job by attaching the cat flap to the door. This will ensure that the flap stays in place and shields the door from rain and wind which can cause damage.
The first thing to do is take a measurement of the width of your pet to get a precise measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will let you select a flap that is large enough for your pet to enter the house and leave without needing to open the door every time.
Once you have the measurements you can mark out the area on the door where the template should be placed. typically this is done using an X. However, cat flap fitting come with drawings that show where to drill. If yours does, then you can stick it to the door and draw a line around the door. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge ensure that you have clearance from these to ensure your cat's safety and will prevent them from getting access to your home.
Put on your eye protection and a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw, begin to cut along the line you penciled in, don't try to push the blade too hard because this will cause it to cut more quickly than you would like it to. If you own an already-cut square, make use of it to verify that you are cutting correctly and also to ensure that the hole is a proper rectangular shape. Once you are satisfied with this you can begin to remove the rest of the door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great method to let your pet out and in without worrying about them being in the house with a visitor, or leaving unwanted gifts in the house. It also reduces drafts and helps keep the temperature inside your home steady. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. Many people will call an expert carpenter or joiner to complete the job. While this is certainly an option, it's possible to do the job yourself if you have the appropriate tools and follow the instructions with care.
While this is far simpler to accomplish with a timber door, it is still possible to do this in uPVC doors - although you should be careful not to scratch the doors since this could invalidate the warranty. The first step in the process is to take measurements of the door, making sure that it can fit the new cat flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel it's easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might require more care.
Next, you will need to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the distance from the floor to the underside of the cat's stomach and you will need to find a spot on the door where this measurement is within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you've got the information you'll have to mark the area with a spirit level and a pencil so you know the opening will fit your cat.
After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is important to be patient and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean, not rough and uneven. This could cause damage to your door. It is also important to wear safety glasses and a dust-proof mask at all times when using the jigsaw, since dust from the saw could be harmful to your health. After you've finished the cutting, you'll need to smooth out the edges of the hole using sandpaper, so that the cat flap will fit easily into place.
Cut a Hole
The process of fitting a cat flap to an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. You might be tempted to do it yourself, but unless have experience with DIY, it's recommended to hire an expert to complete the job for you. A botched job could not only be unsightly and unattractive, but could also be security risks. It could allow cold air in when the cat is outdoors and hot air to escape when it is inside.
The hole's location should be marked on the door using an eraser and a spirit level. This will ensure it is properly positioned and aligns with the rest of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper on ready to smooth out any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using the jigsaw. Remember to wear any safety gear for working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, you can purchase one that is cordless, which is much quieter and easier to use.
It is essential to only cut away the material that is required to make the cat flap. It is important to leave some extra material for the wall thickness of the flap. However, removing too much can cause problems or even damage the frame of the door.
If the door is made of upvc and features a metal panel or frame, it could interfere with the microchip flap. In this scenario you'll need create an extra-large hole to ensure that the metal doesn't touch the walls of the flap.
If you're installing the cat flap onto the frame of a double glazed windows with a metal frame then you'll need to speak to a professional who can supply you with a new glass pane that already has the hole for the cat flap premade inside. It will be much cheaper to get this done rather instead of trying to install the flap to an existing pane of glass that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Place the Flap
Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to come and go anytime they want and allow them to be comfortable in the house when they like. However, if you have a uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially in the absence of glass panes that can be cut to accommodate one. If you are willing to install a half-glazed uPVC replacement panel, it's possible to add the cat flap. It's not as simple as simply cutting a hole through the door though and there are a few things you'll need to do first to ensure that it's safe.
A composite, uPVC or GRP door panel is usually made up of a thin plastic skin which is bonded to an insulating polystyrene base. The material is extremely fragile and care should be taken when cutting through it to avoid causing damage. This type of door usually comes with a template drawing which you can use as a guide to cut the hole in your door.
After you have carved out the hole in your front door, it's time to install the cat flap. You can purchase and install many different models that range from simple push-button operated ones to microchip activated units that only let in your pet. No matter which type of cat flap you pick, it's vital that your cat is able to utilize the flap with ease without getting caught in bad weather.
It is a good idea to choose circular fittings instead of a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. This is also a safer choice because you won't need to drill into the toughened glass that could break and hurt your pet or family. This is particularly crucial if you have elderly or children in your home who could be injured by glass shards.